Impacts of the peer-to-peer market on tourist accommodation on the Balearic Islands of Mallorca and Menorca

Abstract

Using the Balearic Islands of Mallorca and Menorca as case studies, this research identifies the patterns of development in the peer-to-peer market for tourist accommodation in the islands. Characteristics of this market include the predominance of the supply of entire homes and the concentration of demand in a few accommodations, as well as the remarkable unequal spatial distribution in the existing urban structure and the aggravation of problems related to seasonality. Nevertheless, the different degree of maturity of each market differs in the two cases. The results show hotel occupancy suffers from the intensification of tourist housing, independent of hotel category, or of the growth of demand in the peer-to-peer market, while tourism employment increases. These results suggest the impacts are evident beyond some threshold of tourism market development.